Baseball and Lectures

An early attempt to go to Cologne for a few days next week had to be scrapped due to train strikes in Germany and France. After getting the disappointing news this morning, Lee and I headed down to the Vondelpark, Amsterdam's largest public park. We brought along our baseball gloves, handcarried from America, and played a lovely game of catch in the crisp weather. The Vondelpark is still very green and lush, and there were alot of people out and about, walking dogs, and riding bikes. Lee and I undoubtedly stood out, taking on such an unusual and very un-Dutch acitivity as playing catch, but it was still a great time. On the walk back, we stopped at an Irish pub for some lunch and cider, and also sampled some seasonal treats next to the ice rink in the Leidseplein. All decorated for Christmas time, there are stands serving hot waffles and other traditional Dutch treats. Lee and I shared a suikerwaffel and wandered home slowly, enjoying the day.

After a great day wandering the city, Caren, Laurel and I went to a lecture at the nearby John Adams Society given by Dana Thomas, an American journalist who recently wrote a book titled Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster . The talk was an inside look at the changes within the fashion industry over the last 15 years, and how small family owned luxury companys became global megacorporations, almost overnight, resulting in a severe decline in quality and presitge. The talk was well presented and informative, and a great bonding oppurtunity with the girls.

Only 2 days until Thanksgiving!

-LIZ